Bama’s Henry shows off hands to scouts on pro day
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Derrick Henry spent much of Alabama’s pro day as a spectator, even breaking out his phone to time teammates on at least one drill.
At the end, the Crimson Tide’s Heisman Trophy- winning tailback took on another unfamiliar role: Lining up wide to run routes downfield and catch balls from quarterback Jake Coker. With dozens of NFL scouts, executives and coaches watching, the 6-foot-3, 243-pounder aimed to show he’s more than a between-the-tackles running back.
Henry hopes his NFL combine numbers, his college credentials and linebacker- like measurements land him in the first round of next month’s draft.
“I think when you look at Derrick Henry you have to get past the style points and style issue,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “He’s a unique guy with a unique style. He’s got great length, he’s got a great stiff arm, he’s really hard to tackle, and he’s really, really fast.
“He can catch the ball. He’s a really good receiver. And he can block. So if you don’t have this sort of pigeon-hole perception of what a running back needs to be, and you can get past all that and just look at the production, you’ll be wise in terms of how you look at Derrick Henry and what his performance will be for you down the road.”
Henry has already proven he can run, rushing for an SEC record 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns as a junior before deciding to turn pro. He streaked downfield several times to pull in deep balls from Coker.
“I just wanted to catch the ball,” said Henry, who had 11 catches for 91 yards last season.
He was asked if he needs a certain scheme to succeed in the NFL.
“All I need is a line,” Henry said, “and I’m good.”
Wednesday’s workout happened in front of representatives from all 32 NFL teams, including New England coach Bill Belichick and Indianapolis coach Chuck Pagano, along with general managers Doug Whaley of Buffalo and Ryan Grigson of the Colts.
Henry was not the only top prospect for the national champions to draw the attention of the NFL executives in attendance. Others like linebacker Reggie Ragland, and defensive linemen A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed — like Henry, all three are projected as possible first-round picks — mainly did position drills while teammates among the 19 draft- eligible players got a chance to showcase their skills and 40- yard dash times.
Unexpected praise
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Not every Southeastern Conference coach is condemning Michigan and Jim Harbaugh for spending spring break in the Sunshine State.
Florida’s Jim McElwain, who probably had as much to lose as anyone since the Wolverines practiced just a few hours south of Gainesville and squarely in the Gators’ recruiting footprint, actually praised Harbaugh for “pressing the envelopes.”
“I kind of look it as more power to him,” McElwain said Tuesday, the day before the Gators opened spring practice. “It’s totally legal. He’s not doing anything that’s illegal. He’s pressing the envelopes. He’s putting their name in the paper every day. And, you know, that’s cool. I mean, I’d come to Florida, too.
“There are great players here, right? There’s a reason every school in the country comes here and recruits. So I think for them it’s trying to gain an edge and give them an opportunity to practice in great weather. I don’t plan on taking ours to Michigan. I’m all for what he’s doing.”
Michigan football players spent their spring break at IMG Academy, a one- of- a- kind trip that might never be allowed again in college football. Harbaugh’s traveling road show drew the ire of the SEC and the Atlantic Coast Conference, and NCAA president Mark Emmert sounded less than thrilled with the trip.
Louisville OC exits
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Louisville offensive coordinator Garrick McGee is leaving the Cardinals to become Lovie Smith’s first hire at Illinois.
Louisville coach Bobby Petrino said Wednesday that he understood the 42-year-old McGee’s decision to leave after two seasons and wished him well.
As an assistant at Arizona State, Smith recruited McGee as a quarterback.
It is not clear what position McGee will take on the Illinois staff. Neither Smith nor McGee returned messages from The Associated Press seeking comment, and Illinois sports information director Kent Brown declined to discuss the hire.
Smith was named coach at Illinois on Monday and has a $4 million pool for assistants. He has said current Illini assistants can interview for jobs on his staff, but offensive coordinator Ryan Cubit was fired Saturday along with his father, head coach Bill Cubit.
Clemson DB out
CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson defensive back Adrian Baker is out after tearing an ACL during practice last week.
Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said Baker injured the ligament last Saturday. Baker is expected to provide critical depth in the secondary after three of Clemson’s starters there last year — cornerback Mackensie Alexander and safeties Jayron Kearse and T.J. Green — gave up the rest of their college eligibility for the NFL draft.
Swinney said he expected Baker, a junior who had 13 tackles and two interceptions in 12 games last season, to attack the rehab and perhaps be in the mix for the Tigers by September.